I have been working with horses for over 20 years, nine of which have been on a professional basis. I attended Farrier School at Montana State University, graduating with a certificate. I served as an apprentice under Master Farrier Jim Sage, at Cowboy Trail Rides operating out of Las Vegas. My responsibilities were numerous, including trail guide, hoof maintenance and overall care of the 130-horse ranch.
I am currently a small business owner, having managed a horseshoeing operation in both Portland, Oregon, and on Maui. A good friend and client introduced me to the bare foot trim alternative several years ago. Since then, I have been on a self-education quest. Challenged to learn all that I can about not only bare foot trim but all the natural methods to care for our best friends, I have been reading, attending clinics and researching. Now, I consider myself a Natural Horsemanship Advocate. There is so much out there to learn, and I am open.
I am now certified with the Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners .
I have been to California maney times. where I attended numerous educational clinic's. One was a four-day clinic. Two 12-hour classes were spent with Pete Ramey, one of the world’s leading hoof care practitioners, and I attended a 2-day clinic with Dr. Robert Bowker VMD, PhD from the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation at Michigan State University and Michigan Equine Podiatry and Laminitis Research Center. Dr. Bowker has been studying the hoof function and lameness for many years.
In just four days, I had a mind-opening, educational experience like no other in my life. The way I perceive the horse will never be the same. The traditional style of horsemanship needs to move into the 21st century, with the health of the horse first and foremost in mind. Not only did I learn about the hoof, but how all aspects of the horse’s life and environment affect it. We need to step out-of-the-box and look at the horse from a holistic point of view. Education is the first step towards a truly symbiotic partnership. Horses are not toys. The unnatural life style we impose upon our so-called loved ones is the sole reason for their demise. It doesn’t have to be that way, and it is never too late to change.
The horses’ hoof is extremely adaptable. Horses diagnosed with incurable lameness are, in fact, curable with natural horse care. Many navicular and laminitic horses can become sound again after the unnatural forces are removed and the correct loading of the hoof is accomplished. Are we so set in our ways to ignore this simple solution? Can we open our minds to correct past mistakes and move forward to a healthier, sounder and happier future? The research supporting holistic horse care is endless. Knowledge about responsible equine pet ownership is literally at the tip of our fingers, and I feel bound to share my enlightenment with others.